TAD Gear Stealth hoodie

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Knifein

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Anyone own one of these TAD Gear Stealth jackets? I'm really considering buying one.

How do they hold up to wear out in the mountains? Also, I am not sure what size to get. I am 5'7 and 175 pounds (a bit husky) Should I get a large or medium?
 
I have one and its nice. It probably not warm enough during the winter in the mountains though. Would need layers. It has good water repellent features, but not water proof. I'm 6'3 and 185 and it fits me fine. I've worn it hiking several times with a fall here or there and its never damaged the jacket. no scratches. I tend to like the ranger hoodies better though.
 
creativeoutlethobbie said:
I'm 6'3 and 185 and it fits me fine. I've worn it hiking several times with a fall here or there and its never damaged the jacket. no scratches. I tend to like the ranger hoodies better though.
Click to expand...

What size do you wear? Also, what are the advantages of the Ranger hoodie over the Stealth? The only one I can see is that it is warmer, but that's it.
 
Ranger hoodies are just a thick/ multilayer fleece. The Steath is a softshell. I have a few of each. The Rangers are nice but VERY expensive fleece jackets. They do have alot of nice little thought out plans as well. They are DWR or similar coated so they do shed water, like a in a small shower. But they will soak thru. The softshell is fleece inner, with the fabric outer. They call theirs "shark skin" or something like that. It is more water resistant, wind resistant, durable and you do not build up as much electrical charge with the shealth/ spectres as you do with the rangers. I owned one spectre in ME gray, one in ME green, and one in the "elite" Multicam. Also owned a robin hoodie, a ranger in tan and ME grey. I sold the ME green spectre and the Multicam one (The MC one sold for $300 more than I paid for it and I wore it a few times), I still have both ranger hoodies, the ranger hoodie, and the MEgray spectre its more foliage green and I like the color ALOT. I will probably pick up a stealth in black next time they come out, but who knows.

However, as with most fleece/ softshells, they are heavy, and do not really pack worth the crap. I have been wearing a black Arcteryx Atom LT this last season and found it to be a great layer, even when snowshoeing, which I usually wear a layer or two of smartwools under it all. I did get a little cold when stopping for the night or rest stops, but I could easily add another later (like the patgonia R4 fleece) and when needed I could shed it and pack it away in a little space. I scored an atom SV hoodie (twice as thick as the atom lt) for $100 the a few weeks back. But due to the warmer temps, it will just sit in the cold weather bin till the hunt this fall. These types of insulating jackets are better for outdoors I feel since you can lay them up place a gortex shell on them when it rains/ snows, the pack ALOT smaller, weight crap, and cost typically less.
 
Thanks for the replies guys. I was considering buying the Ranger hoodie but honestly I think it is just too much money for a fleece. On the other hand I am willing to pay the money for a Stealth softshell, and pick up one of those Condor knockoff Ranger fleece jackets for 60 bucks.

However I'm still deciding on weather to get a large or medium.
 
Just dug thru the boxes and closet for this. Hope you dont mind...
Left to right in the jackets up top. TAD ME green ranger, TAD ME gray Spectre, Arcteryx SV Atom- Amazon color??, Arcteryx Alpha LEAF- crocodile, Patagonia R4 fleece- green, Patagonia R1 fleece- black, Arcteryx Atom lt- black, TAD robin hoodie- OD, TAD ME brown Ranger

Left to right in the pants. Arcteryx alpha LEAF- crocodile, Patagonia R1 fleece- black, Kifaru- foliage.

I really dont want to think about how much money is down there, but cold/ wet weather gear cost a bit of coin, but when you need it you will be glad you do.

FYI, I am 6'0" 220lbs (but don't really look it) With the exception of the R1 fleeces, everything in the photo is XL. The R1 fleece are just large since they are bottom layer.

jackets1.JPG


And since its really the only photo I have of myself recently. Here I am infront of the door of my Kifaru 8man tipi with my 5yr old daughter. I don't think I look like I weight 220, guess I'm just dense??
8man3.JPG
 
That's an awesome collection spoolup. Thank you for taking the time to upload the pics, I would have never guessed you at 220 pounds.

I think a size large Stealth would suit me fine. Anyways, I will end up buying one of those Condor fleece jackets and using it as a layer under the Stealth jacket on the really cold days.
 
Im ~160 5'6 and I wear a medium ranger and explorer, but they are snug so you would likely be better with a large. Don't have a stealth yet, I do however have both the condor fleece and softshell. The ranger is so much more than a fleece. Its nice and wind resistant and has DWR so it's somewhat waterproof. the condor fleece is none of those, it's just a thin fleece and that's it. The Condor softshell however is quite waterproof and wind resistant. If I could only afford one of the TAD gear pieces and one Condor I would do the Ranger and the Condor soft shell.

Hope that helps.
 
I'm about to pull the trigger on a Gen 2 stealth with Rhino Hide fabric but I was wondering how water resistant it is compared to the Sharkskin fabric. Will it keep me dry in heavy rain?
 
Heavy downpour no, it will soak thru, sorry. For pure rain you need something like a hardshell like gortex/ e-vent or the like. But for the accidentally caught out in a quick shower, or light snow, they are great. Thus why most own a few different jackets for different conditions.
 
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